In January 2015, the School of Criminal Justice graduated its first cohort from the M.S. in Forensic Science - High Technology Crime program. (Pictured l. to r.): Denise Forbes, Sanjay Williams, Wandrea Davis and Denver Dawes.

The 30-credit M.S. in Forensic Science – High Technology Crime program prepares you to excel in a rapidly changing field as you become an expert in investigating criminal activity involving computer and digital information systems, accounting fraud and health-care fraud. The program is designed for professionals who want to become expert at managing advanced technological resources to combat cyberthreats and related financial crime.

How the program works:

Through a 10-course curriculum, you'll develop skills and knowledge in 21st-century forensic investigations to become an agent of positive change. You'll explore:

forensic investigation techniques

computer and digital information crimes

financial and health-care fraud

prevention and security management strategies

legal interventions and resolutions.

You'll gain practical, hands-on experience in a brand-new digital computer lab where you'll be able to break down computer hardware and learn to employ specific software for investigation purposes.

You also have the opportunity to take advantage of UB's partnership with Atius Technology Institute to take your professional certification exams through the Information Technology Academy (without having to take the academy's prep courses—this program prepares you well to pass the exams). In addition, the academy offers a series of cohort learning sessions in such areas as Information Technology Security Auditing & Cyber Forensic Investigation, Database Management, Healthcare Informatics and Information Technology Project Management.

Life beyond school:

What can you do with this master's degree?

Graduates of this program will be prepared to succeed in such positions as:

cyberanalyst

cybersecurity investigator

forensic accounting analyst

forensic analyst

fraud investigator

health-care fraud manager

independent or internal auditor

Internet security analyst

IT security analyst/manager

law enforcement agent.

When you graduate from the program, you'll be prepared to:

identify high-technology crimes and how they occur

investigate the expanding area of criminal activity related to technology

evaluate commercial and governmental programs intended to combat such crime

design solutions to prevent and fight high-tech criminal activity

develop effective counter-crime management programs.

The average salary for cybersecurity and cyberintelligence professionals in the greater Baltimore-Washington, D.C.-Northern Virginia area is more than $96,000, and job openings are prevalent.

Your faculty:

Our faculty have decades of practical experience in investigating and prosecuting crime, and they work in metropolitan, state and national agencies and in corporate and private industry. They research in collaboration with professionals around the globe and consult nationally and internationally. Many faculty work in the field in addition to teaching, bringing expertise to the classroom from their jobs in law enforcement agencies, state's attorney offices, forensic laboratories, and corporate and private security in areas focusing on fraud and high-tech crime.